Elm tree pruning ban begins April 1

To prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) a province-wide pruning ban for all species of elm trees is in effect from April 1 to September 30, 2024. Pruning elm trees during this time exposes wounds that could provide entry sites for Elm Bark Beetles, a carrier of the DED fungus. Provincial regulations prohibit the storage, sale or transport of elm wood. For more information on DED visit www.stopded.org. 

Watch for symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease on elm trees in your neighborhood. Elm trees infected last season may not leaf out this spring. From mid-June through July the leaves on infected trees will wilt, curl up and turn brown. Leaves on trees infected late in the season will turn yellow and drop prematurely.

Report elm trees displaying these symptoms to the City of Lethbridge by contacting Lethbridge 311 or call the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) hotline: 1-877-837-ELMS (3567).

For Public Inquiries:
Call 311 or visit 311.lethbridge.ca | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Media Contact:
media@lethbridge.ca